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<br /> <br />U!%J@fRlfffJ={J@[f&J!lJ <br />@@f!2f!2[jtffJ@f!2 <br /> <br />Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee Agenda Item #9 <br />NCDA Agenda Item #2g <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />July 28,2005 <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Development Authority <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Staff <br /> <br />RE: <br /> <br />Agreement with American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for Peer <br />Review Services <br /> <br />Peer review is required by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the final design phase of <br />project development. For many years, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) <br />has provided peer review services. Peer reviews have been an outgrowth of APTA's Safety <br />Audit Program and have expanded in scope to focus on any aspect of public transportation that <br />may be requested by a transit system. <br /> <br />The concept of peer reviews is to assist the requesting agency in addressing issues through <br />subject matter experts within the transit industry. The experts would conduct a review of issues <br />and upon the conclusion of the review, the peer review panel would provide a verbal summary <br />of findings and recommendations to the Northstar Project Management Team. APTA will <br />formalize the peer review findings and recommendations into a written report. <br /> <br />APT A charges a $4,500 administrative fee to coordinate and facilitate the peer review and <br />prepare a written report and requests that the NCDA directly reimburse peer review panel <br />members for travel and incidental expenses. The Northstar Project Management Team <br />requests that the Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee make a recommendation to <br />the NCDA that the NCDA authorize the Chair to negotiate and execute an agreement with <br />APT A for the peer review of the operations and maintenance of the commuter rail portion of the <br />Northstar Project. Staff are also recommending that the Executive Director be authorized to <br />reimburse peer review panelists for any travel or lodging expenses incurred as part of the <br />review process. Staff estimate that the travel and lodging costs will not exceed $20,000.00. <br /> <br />APTA requests that the NCDA sign the attached form thereby agreeing to indemnify and hold <br />harmless APTA, its officers and employees, and any peer review panelists and their respective <br />agencies in the conduct of their activities for claims of any kind (including attorney fees) arising <br />out of the provision of this peer review, except to the extent such claims arise or are caused by <br />the negligence or willful misconduct of APTA, its officers and employees, or peer review <br />panelists. Staff recommends that the Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee <br />recommend that the NCDA authorize the Chair to sign the form. <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Development Authority <br />21003. Avenue. Anoka. Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 \vww.northstartrain.org <br />